Government funding of £18m for cycling, which was announced last summer, will go to local authorities across England to improve cycle safety at key junctions. These include several hugely impressive and radical schemes, including the partial removal of a gyratory in Leicester and the construction of a £2m cycle bridge in Bury St Edmunds. CTC was part of a panel of experts, alongside British Cycling, CPRE and Sustrans, which recommended the shortlist of schemes to be funded. Following The Times' 'Cities fit for cycling' campaign, £15m had already been made available to fund junction improvements in London, and CTC had called for additional funding for the rest of the country. Many of CTC's local campaigners also fed in their comments on the proposals, helping to ensure that the schemes would improve conditions for cycling, as well as improving cycle safety.

Be in pole position

Ever wanted to be Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton for the day? Well, we can’t arrange that but we can offer you the chance to compete in a Grand Prix at Silverstone! The Silverstone 24 Hour Cycling Grand Prix takes place at the Northamptonshire circuit on 14 and 15 September and CTC is excited to be one of the endurance event’s official sponsors. Whether you’re a commuter, road cyclist or keen tourist, you can tackle the course on any bike. Why not get a group of friends, colleagues or fellow members together to take part? The event is open to anyone, including people with adapted bikes so everyone can have a go. Enter via CTC and help raise funds to support our vital work for cycling.

Take a technical challenge

Bored of the 9 to 5? Fancy getting outdoors more? If you are a competent mountain biker, why not help others acquire the skills necessary to tackle more demanding terrain? Following on from the Trail MTB Leader award that teaches the fundamentals of group management, navigation and trailside repairs, the Technical MTB Leader award includes a skills instruction element and could help you pursue a career as a mountain bike instructor. CTC has a range of Technical MTB leader courses throughout the year. The next course is on 26-28 April at Dalby Bike Barn in North Yorkshire.

Then and now

What is a ‘fectory’? According to this fascinating film from the British Film Council Collection, it’s a place where bicycles are made. The 1945 educational documentary shows the process of designing and mass producing Raleigh bicycles through the eyes of a visiting father and son. Much of the film’s content, including the narrator's accent, is very dated but his comments at the end about the benefits that bikes bring to both commuters and leisure riders are as true as ever.

A small step for womankind

The Raleigh film’s notion of a suitable bike for ladies – one with a basket for shopping – might seem a bit sexist to modern eyes. But spare a thought for women in Saudi Arabia, who have finally been allowed to ride bikes and motorbikes in ‘recreational areas’ thanks to a recent law change – as long as they are fully-covered and take a male relative with them!

Getting in gear

No such restrictions for The Independent’s Simon Usborne, who identifies himself as one of the “ image-conscious men in Lycra for whom the costume of the workaday rider is anathema.” Wonder what ex-racer Richard Howard, who regularly goes out for a 5-mile weekend spin on his tricycle would make of that? He has just turned 100 years-old, according to a BBC report.

Rising from the Ashes

The London Olympics may be so last year but for one member of Team Rwanda, the country’s first ever national cycling team, it was an incredible stage in his journey from genocide survivor to world class athlete. Mountain biker Adrien Niyonshuti, who lost six of his brothers in the civil war, is featured in ‘Rising from the Ashes’, an award-winning documentary about the team; its London premiere is on Thursday 9 May 2013.

A really good rally

The CTC New Forest Cycling Week is perfect for all leisure cyclists whether on trikes, racers or any other kind of bicycle. It takes place this year from Friday 26 July to Friday 2 August and participants are welcome to come for all or part of the week. Informal rides take place every day as well as evening and social activities for all ages.

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